Chino and Yagura's Visit

Seiji lay back on his bed, still turning over the information he had just received. His thoughts kept branching out as he refined his plans for what came next.

Barring any surprises, the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan or bloodline would definitely have a positive effect on him.

Seiji would not—and did not want to—hunt down the Hyuga Clan, who could be considered his distant relatives, just for this. Nor did he intend to transplant a pair of Byakugan that did not belong to him in order to speed up his bloodline's evolution. However, extracting some of the Byakugan's Pupil Power or Hyuga bloodline and finding a way to absorb and fuse it was still feasible.

But his priority was still to slowly absorb the gift Isshiki had left behind before considering anything else. Besides, Seiji could feel his own Dojutsu steadily gestating. Perhaps he could awaken his own Dojutsu without relying on external help.

Time passed quickly as Seiji continued thinking.

The next day, after Seiji got up and had breakfast with Genji, Chino and Yagura came knocking at his door.

When the three had chatted during their mission in the capital, they had exchanged their addresses in the village. Bored at home, Yagura had dragged Chino along to visit Seiji.

Seiji had never told them much about his home. They only knew that, like them, he had lost both parents. Since they had never heard of an Otsutsuki family in the village, they assumed Seiji was the last surviving orphan of some minor clan who had inherited its entire estate.

Although Genji was an Elder, he had kept a low profile in recent years. Chino and Yagura, who were not of sufficient rank, had no idea that the address Seiji gave them belonged to Elder Genji.

As Gonbei led them inside, the two kept marveling at how enormous Seiji's home was. It was not until they reached the living room that they saw Seiji, who had been waiting for them after learning of their arrival, and Genji, who also wanted to meet his grandson's friends.

"What the hell?!" The moment they entered the living room, the two looked up and saw Genji smiling warmly at them.

Why is Elder Genji at Seiji's house?!

The two hurriedly came to their senses and respectfully bowed to Genji.

"Elder Genji!"

"Hehe, come, have a seat." Genji nodded and gestured for them to sit.

Chino and Yagura could not help looking at Seiji. They desperately needed an explanation from him.

"Grandpa Genji, let me introduce them. This is Sister Chino, a member of the Hozuki Clan. And this is little brother Yagura, from the Karatachi Clan," Seiji said, understanding what they meant.

"Brother Seiji, why did you never tell us that you and Elder Genji were family?!" The moment they learned of Genji and Seiji's relationship, the two relaxed. Yagura could not help complaining.

Seiji smiled awkwardly without answering.

"Children of the Hozuki and Karatachi families, huh? Little Seiji has made some fine friends." Genji voiced his approval, although he had long known their detailed information. After all, he was the one who had arranged for Seiji to enter the Anbu.

"Go on, Little Seiji. Take your friends around the place. You do not need to stay here and keep this old man company," Genji said to Seiji.

"Yes, Grandpa. We'll take our leave, then." With that, Seiji stood and led his two friends out of the living room.

Seiji took them for a stroll through the courtyard, introducing them to the household as they walked.

"I never would have guessed it, little brother Seiji. You really kept things hidden. You kept it way too quiet that Elder Genji was your grandfather! No wonder you're so strong at such a young age. Elder Genji truly is one of the village's original founders," Chino said.

"I wasn't trying to hide it. You never asked me. Besides, Grandpa Genji isn't my biological grandfather. You could say I was adopted." Seiji smiled awkwardly, realizing they had misunderstood.

Before they knew it, they had reached the backyard. Seeing the enormous training ground, Chino and Yagura were completely stunned.

Their respective clans also had training grounds like this, but even the facilities shared by their entire clans were not as large as Seiji's family's.

"Brother Seiji, let's have a match! We've never sparred with each other before!" Yagura suddenly said excitedly, challenging Seiji.

"But you're already a Jonin, so Sister Chino and I will team up against you alone!" Yagura added.

Seiji froze for a moment, then nodded, accepting Yagura's request for a spar.

The moment Yagura saw Seiji agree, he wasted no time. He grabbed the Coral Staff strapped to his back and swung it at Seiji.

"Little bro, that's not playing fair!" Seiji complained as he dodged in exasperation.

"Hehe, you don't get it, Brother Seiji. We're ninjas. The moment you agreed, the fight started! Would an enemy on the battlefield wait until you were ready?" Yagura argued.

"Oh, Yagura, your hide's itching again, isn't it?" Seiji was amused by Yagura's sophistry. Of course he understood the logic Yagura was spouting. He was no longer a rookie ninja who knew nothing and had no combat experience.

But this was only a spar between friends, and Yagura had actually launched a sneak attack without playing fair.

Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Larch!

The sudden battle left Seiji no time to take off his shirt. Pale white Bone Spikes burst through the fabric from his chest and back, rapidly growing outward. Seiji turned and used his back to meet Yagura's incoming Coral Staff.

He caught Yagura's weapon with his bones, then twisted sideways and launched a flying kick at Yagura's abdomen.